Carl Phillip Samuel Simonsen

Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on December 22, 1940. He is survived by his loving wife Carol (Mercedes) of 38 years. Much loved father of 4 wonderful children, Ariel Joseph Simonsen and his wife of Alana Simonsen; Maria Linaflor Manning, with her husband Kenton Manning; Rosemarie Padual Tidalgo with her husband Marlon Tidalgo; and Nicklaus Padual Simonsen with his wife Joan Simonsen. Carl has 8 grandchildren, Misha Simonsen, Kiana Engel, Aasia Simonsen, Keara Simonsen, Andrea Kaiser, Jeremy Kaiser, Tyra Tidalgo and Tatum Tidalgo. He is also survived by his brother William (Bill) Simonsen.

Carl was predeceased by his parents Valdamor Simonsen and Phyllis Puddicombe, and sister Jacqueline Simonsen.

Carl was raised by his Uncle Neil and Auntie Nellie Simonsen in Sanford, Manitoba at the age of 9. His Uncle Neil taught him how to hunt with his dog Patches. He worked in the mine when he was 16 to pay for his first car and education.

Carl showed a keen interest in academics at the age of 9 and declared that he wanted to become civil engineer. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering (Civil) at the University of Manitoba on May 21, 1964 and soon after he received his Masters of Science at the University of Strathclyde on October 30, 1965.

On September 16, 1966 he received the Athlone Fellowship which was awarded by her Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom. He completed courses of post-secondary graduate training in Civil Engineering-Hydraulics and Industrial Management at the University of Strathclyde.

He travelled the world with his professional engineering skills and used his intelligence effectively in teams that designed and built hydroelectric dam projects in Canada, USA, Sri Lanka, China, Thailand, Iran, Argentina, India and the Philippines. He lived in the Philippines for 4 years where he met his wife Carol (Mercedes) in 1978. Carl married her on December 9, 1981 and the rest is history.

Carl collected stamps as one of his hobbies at the age of 10. He collected over thousands of stamps. He enjoyed planting flowers, trees and his vegetables garden for many years. He would start planting his seeds in the basement, which we called his “Grow Op”. He also played curling as his physical sport as a young man. He played softball for his work company with his co-workers. He coached his son Nicklaus’ soccer team for a few years.

He retired at 65 but he loved his job so much he continued to do consulting with his own company for 5 years. At 71 he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He kept himself busy by planting more seeds in his basement and he grew more vegetables in his gardens. As time went by, he got weaker and sicker. He went to a long-term care home on May 1, 2018. He was such a brave man to fight such a battle. Carl Phillip Samuel Simonsen you are a hero to all of us. You will be missed for your unconditional love for your family, love of pets, love of beer, your quiet and elegant presence and your extreme hard work. His family is grateful that he passed peacefully. May he rest in peace.

A Visitation will be held at SOUTH CALGARY FUNERAL CENTRE, 12700 Macleod Trail South (at Lake Fraser Gate), on Friday, March 13, 2020 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

A Celebration of Carl’s Life will be held at SOUTH CALGARY FUNERAL CENTRE, on Saturday, March 14, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. Private family burial to follow after service.